South Shore Convention And Visitors Authority Holds 32nd Annual Holiday Reception, Honors Organizations And Individuals

South Shore Convention And Visitors Authority Holds 32nd Annual Holiday Reception, Honors Organizations And Individuals

On Wednesday, the South Shore Convention and Visitor’s Authority welcomed more than 250 local business leaders, hospitality professionals and elected officials to the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond to celebrate the holiday and a year of good cheer as well as to recognize a few of the Region’s outstanding individuals and business at the 32nd annual Holiday Reception.

“We wanted to do something special for our industry that started 32 years ago,” said  SSCVA’s President/CEO, Speros Batistatos. “It seemed to us to be the natural time of year for gratitude and appreciation for what’s been done. We started all those years ago to recognize the people who are really upping their game every year.”

Click here to see more photos from the SSCVA Holiday Party.

“We like to take the opportunity and the time to bring to the attention of the industry some of the great things that are happening,” Batistatos said. “So  often they’re so involved in their own restaurant, hotel or attraction that they’re not seeing what everyone else is doing. This is our kick-off event and it’s a ‘must attend’ event. You’ll see everyone you need to see in Northwest Indiana. We’re humbled by the ongoing support and it’s just a great night.”

In the center of the reception area at the Welcome Center stood over a dozen Christmas Trees decorated by local businesses in hospitality and not-for-profit organizations to be judged and voted on between now and January when the winner will be announced.

Attending the Holiday Reception and showing off the Hobart Chamber of Commerce’s tree was President, Lisa Winstead.

“This is our first year decorating a tree,” Winstead said. “First, we asked all of our members to donate an item. It could be anything that promotes a Chamber member’s business. We also took pictures from our events and we brought all that to come decorate. They’re on display until January 7th. We had around 100 items donated from businesses and a handful of people come and help do the decorating. I came to last year’s event and was really impressed by it so I made sure this year I got the application and I got a tree!”

This year, Northwest Indiana is home to two winners of the 2015 Power of Children Awards. At the Holiday Reception the SSCVA honored Maddie Fanta and Eric Lakomek for the award winning community work they’ve done over the last two years. Maddie Fanta’s Maddie’s Helping Hands collects, sorts, stocks, cleans and distributes clothes for the less fortunate in her community, while Eric Lakomek’s Red Shoe Project works to give everyone the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of financial ability.

Eric’s Red Shoe Project is a repository for recycled sports equipment and is giving his community the gift of fun and fitness and Maddie’s Helping Hands has expanded into a store within the local food pantry. Both Power of Children Award winners have received a $2000 grant to expand their projects and may choose a university scholarship from IUPUI, UIndy, or Butler University.

Also receiving awards during the Holiday Reception were: Comfort Inn, Hammond - 2015 Hotel of the Year; ChicagoLand Popcorn, Hobart - 2015 Attraction of the Year; Stadium Sports Bar & Grill (Ameristar), East Chicago - 2015 Restaurant of the Year; Chris Kaemerer, Ramencon Anime Convention - 2015 Bring It Home Hero; Griffith Town Council - 2015 Elected Officials of the Year.